WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12TH December 2023

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL

                                                                                                                                

              PRESENT: D Sugden, A Savory, J Bell, I Rodgers, Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

                            MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J Green, A Trenberth & D Robson (CleanEarth),

S Thistlethwaite & S Dickson & P Robinson (Weardale Lithium)

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Y Bell, A Bonar, A Vipond
2. COUNCILLOR RESIGNATION: David Jones & Pam Dobson have resigned as a Parish Councillor’s.
3. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
   1. ​Cleanearth Energy Presentation: Cleanearth  have submitted a planning application to DCC for the replacement of 6 existing wind turbine with 7 new turbines at High Hedleyhope Farm, Tow Law. The new turbines would generate 9 times more renewable electricity than the existing turbines but will be considerably taller with a maximum tip height of 150m. Wolsingham Parish Council will be considered for part of the Community Benefit Fund from the developer. Cllr Rodgers pointed out that there was concern from Thornley residents about the impact of the new turbines and could more liaison with residents be undertaken. Cleanearth advised that the visual impact of the proposal had been assessed over a 40km radius from the site, letters to residents affected by the development have been sent out by Cleanearth in addition to the neighbour notifications carried out by DCC. Any issues can be raised with Cleanearth directly or through DCC Planning, the application is available for viewing on DCC’s planning portal reference DM/23/03047/FPA.
   2. Presentation by Weardale Lithium: Weardale Lithium presented their proposals for a geothermal lithium brine pilot plant at Eastgate. The brine would be extracted via boreholes, transported by pipeline to a new building at the former Eastgate Works, where the lithium would be extracted and then be transported out of the dale in a wet sand form, most likely by road to refineries on Teesside. The wastewater would be treated and returned to the ground, again via boreholes. The high lithium content of the brine makes the proposal financially attractive as there is currently no lithium produced commercially in the UK or Europe. The pilot project would create between 20 – 40 jobs and full production would create 100 – 130 jobs. Weardale Lithium acknowledges the importance of providing training and apprenticeships for the local area and encouraged any residents to contact them regarding possible employment. Cllr Savory gave her support for the proposal and its importance for offering employment opportunities.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory declared an interest in planning due to her duties on the DCC Planning Committee and the items related to the Christmas Lights & Kiosk/new toilets. Cllr J Bell declared an interest in the Kiosk/new toilets.
5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  10th October 2023: The minutes were accepted as a true & correct record.
6. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Parish Council Email Addresses – All Councillor’s are now using the new email addresses which are now on the website. Cllr Savory is having issues with the new address but will work with the Clerk to resolve.
   2. Christmas Tree Lights – Cllr Savory declared an interest. Positive feedback had been received from local residents for the ‘illuminations’ and the switch on event. One correspondence had been received praising the event and suggesting a Christmas tree decorating competition like Corbridge with an offer to help would be a good addition to the event. Another correspondent requested could the lights be switched on for the morning hours for people travelling to work. The Clerk had already requested that the lights be illuminated earlier in the evening, Cllr Savory will make a request to DCC.
   3. St Anne’s Maintenance – The new colours for St Anne’s hall have been chosen and works will be completed in the first week of the New Year. New tables have been ordered for both halls.
   4. Road Safety Working Group – Cllr Sugden provided a report of the latest meeting held. Residents had raised issues regarding the parking outside of Peggotty’s and the Barbers shop which is causing congestion and near misses. Cllr Rodgers suggested writing to the DCC regarding Traffic Wardens, Cllr Savory confirmed there is only a small team of parking enforcement officers to cover the whole of Co. Durham.
   5. Maintenance work – The clerk informed the meeting that several small items, including an electrical cable extension, had been removed from the Town Hall by persons unknown.
   6. Queries raised by Mr G Dobson – Councillors had all received the reply provided to Mr Dobson following the previous meeting. As Mr Dobson has now submitted a formal complaint to DCC’s Monitoring Officer we can no longer comment on this matter. A copy of the AGAR report, which has been on the website since 16/11/2023, was provided to each Councillor attending, Cllr J Bell asked could it be approved by Council at the next meeting to allow time for it to be read, this was agreed.
7. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. An email has been received asking if the hedge adjacent to the Recreation Allotments would be trimmed as in previous years. The Clerk confirmed this should have been completed by DCC, Cllr Savory will chase this up.
8. New Kiosk / Toilets – Cllr Savory & Cllr J Bell declared an interest. The Clerk confirmed the planning permission has been approved, with a condition that the works are to commence on site by 24/04/2024. Another condition is that the opening hours of the toilets be open from 8.30am and closed by 7pm. It is anticipated that by the January meeting quotes to carry out the works will have been received.
9. Policies Review – It was agreed that the 11 Council policies would be reviewed by allocating 1/2 policies to each Councillor, with the aim to have the reviews completed by the March 2024.
10. Finance
    1. Payments & Reports for November – agreed
    2. Proposed Budget 2024/25 – A draft budget was presented to the Councillors, there was some discussion with regards to the proposed charges & cost cutting and it was agreed that this needed further consideration, with final approval of a budget being completed at the January 2024 meeting. In short Cllr Savory did not agree with the increase of charges for the Fun Fair, it was agreed that Cllr Savory approach Stanhope Parish to confirm their charges. Cllr Savory, Cllr J Bell & Cllr Sugden did not agree with the proposal to charge for the use of the toilets. Cllr J Bell disagreed with the proposal not to supply Christmas lights at the St Anne’s Centre, however Cllr Savory may be able to provide some funding. The Clerk pointed out that this was a draft budget, however the increase in costs for running both halls and the maintenance of other property needed to be addressed.
    3. Parking Meters/Parking Charges – It was agreed that the new parking meter charges will be £1 for one hour, £2 for three hours, £5 for 24hours. The first half hour will be free in both car parks. Resident parking permits will be charged at £5 per permit renewable annually.
11. PLANNING Cllr Savory declared an interest. J Green enquired whether the Gardner’s development had been approved, Cllr Savory confirmed that it had.
12. PLANNING:  NOTIFIED –

DM/23/03561/DRC - Durham Road Farm Durham Road Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3JB.

Discharge of conditions 3 (carbon emissions) and 4 (bat boxes) pursuant to planning approval DM/23/00992/FPA – no objection raised

DM/23/03478/DRC - 4A Rectory Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AJ. Discharge of condition 3 (Materials) pursuant to planning permission DM/23/02661/FPA– no objection raised

DM/23/03479/DRC - 4A Rectory Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AJ. Discharge of condition 3 (Materials) pursuant to listed building consent DM/23/02662/LB– no objection raised

DM/23/03432/TPO - Ivy House 72 West End Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AP. Pruning by 3-4 metres back to boundary wall to one Yew tree - TPO-CCD-25-2011– no objection raised

DM/23/03414/FPA - The Hemmel Thistlewood Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3HG. Change of use of agricultural byre into one bedroom holiday cottage– no objection raised

PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/23/03247/TCA - Wolsingham School The Grammar School Building West End Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DJ. Crown Raise Group G1 and trees T510, T512 - T519 to 2.5mts. - Section 211 notice – Raise No Objection

DM/23/00389/FPA – Prospect House 72 Lydgate Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3EZ

Two storey rear extensions, porch to rear and solar panels to front – Approved

Cllr Savory requested that the Parish Council write to Barclays Bank to raise concerns over the length of time the cashpoint has been without cash – this was agreed